Eye on Hospitality: Hotels Woo Millennial Travelers

If you’re in the hospitality business, you want the Millennial dollar. Restaurants are moving heaven and earth to appeal to this generation born between approximately 1981 to 2002, and so are hotels.

“If we attract young people, old people will show up,” said Scott Greenberg, president and chief executive of Smashotels, a Chicago area hospitality management. “But if you build a hotel for old people, young people never show up.”

So, what are Millennials looking for in hotels?

Amenities like free WiFi and top-flight bar programs are essential in any hotels hoping to attract a Millennial clientele, but there is more. Much more.

For one, if you want Millennials to embrace your hotel, you’ll need to be Instagram worthy.

“From a design and art standpoint, we’ve got a lot of very bold art that creates backdrops for people to take selfies and share online,” said Rose Anderson, vice president of global branding and innovation with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which owns Radisson Red Anderson.

Connecting guests with local favorites is also a Millennial must.

“It’s no longer just the job of the concierge to give you recommendations,” said Sandra Cordova Micek, Hyatt’s senior vice president of global brands. “Our colleagues are constantly being asked what their hidden gems are and what they would recommend.”

Additionally, Millennial expectations are driving hotels to revamp room service and menus.

“We’re sort of turning room service on its ear and thinking about it as restaurant-to-go delivery,” said Cordova Micek. “So, it’s not room service on the big silver tray rolling out. It’s actually having your food delivered in environmentally friendly packaging that comes in a paper bag that you can take with you if you’re going to run around and see the city.”

The form and function of lobbies are also changing.

Hotel lobbies are accommodating laptops and the new normal of people working outside the office with plenty of work spaces, plugs and free WiFi and easy acces to snacks, caffeine and cocktails. And gone is the traditional front desk at Radisson RED. At Radisson’s Minneapolis location, guests can check in using the app on their phone, then use the phone as the key to get into the room. If, however, someone needs help with checking in, staffers are there with iPads in hand.

And if you really want to start appealing to the uniquely socially concerned Millennial generation, it’s a good idea to start prioritizing social consciousness.

“Millennials want to feel like there’s something of value, that somebody cares about something and that their money is going to serve the greater good,” said Greenberg.

Ideas for appealing to this socially conscious strain in the Millennial psyche range from going paperless to supporting worthwhile causes.

And don’t assume that you have to be expensive to appeal to Millennials.

Hilton is reaching out to Millennials with a new low-cost hotel brand named Tru that puts major emphasis on amenities like craft beer, hangout space, large communal lobbies with bright colors, 24/7 bars, pool tables and workspaces. Costs are kept low, however, with easily cleanable rooms that are 20 percent smaller than the average hotel room. Tru’s locations are also outside the most expensive cities.

“You don’t want to be alienating some of your customers in order to appeal to some of your other customers,” said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager of Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Protea and Marriott Executive Apartments. “So if you can find things that maybe are millennia- driven but that have universal appeal, that’s the holy grail.”

Registration deadline: Sept. 17 Registration by the deadline is required. Walk-ins are not accepted. Our comprehensive course covers all the basics of First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated

Attendees must register before the deadline. Walk-ins are not accepted and will be turned away.

Member: $150Non-member: $220

Our ServSafe Manager classes are offered in a one-day review format. Upon registration, attendees will be mailed a ServSafe Manager book to study prior to attending the class. The WHAEF closes registration for classes two weeks in advance of the class date to ensure each attendee has ample time to study.

The day of the class the attendee will receive approximately four hours of review of the ServSafe Manager materials. This information is presented through videos, PowerPoint presentations, time for Q&A and led by certified, industry experienced instructors.

The review is followed by the ServSafe Manager exam, proctored by the class instructor. The exam is multiple choice and available in multiple languages, large print and an instructor version are available for those interested in becoming a ServSafe instructor for their own establishment. The instructor exam is only available in English. A passing score is 75% regardless of the exam type.

Successful attendees will receive their ServSafe Manager certificates three to four weeks after the date of the class. Attendees who do not pass the exam can retake the course and exam up to three times in a 12 month period (additional fees for retakes will apply).

Accommodations are able to be made for those who need translators or have a disability.

Attendees must register before the deadline. Walk-ins are not accepted and will be turned away.

Member: $150Non-member: $220

Our ServSafe Manager classes are offered in a one-day review format. Upon registration, attendees will be mailed a ServSafe Manager book to study prior to attending the class. The WHAEF closes registration for classes two weeks in advance of the class date to ensure each attendee has ample time to study.

On the day of the class, the attendee will receive approximately four hours of review of the ServSafe Manager materials. This information is presented through videos, PowerPoint presentations, time for Q&A and led by certified, industry experienced instructors.

The review is followed by the ServSafe Manager exam, proctored by the class instructor. The exam is multiple choice and available in multiple languages, large print and instructor versions are available for those interested in becoming a ServSafe instructor for their own establishment. The instructor exam is only available in English. A passing score is 75% regardless of the exam type.

Successful attendees will receive their ServSafe Manager certificates three to four weeks after the date of the class. Attendees who do not pass the exam can retake the course and exam up to three times in a 12 month period (additional fees for retakes will apply).

Accommodations are able to be made for those who need translators or have a disability

Each month, members of the Seattle Restaurant Alliance meet for industry updates, presentations on a hot topic and a discussion on a trending topic or best practices. Meetings are also a great place to strengthen your connection to fellow restaurateurs. All Seattle restaurant owners and managers are welcome.

Attendees must register before the deadline. Walk-ins are not accepted and will be turned away.

Member: $150 Non-member: $220

Our ServSafe Manager classes are offered in a one-day review format. Upon registration, attendees will be mailed a ServSafe Manager book to study prior to attending the class. The WHAEF closes registration for classes two weeks in advance of the class date to ensure each attendee has ample time to study.

The day of the class the attendee will receive approximately four hours of review of the ServSafe Manager materials. This information is presented through videos, PowerPoint presentations, time for Q&A and led by certified, industry experienced instructors.

Review is followed by the ServSafe Manager exam, proctored by the class instructor. The exam is multiple choice and available in multiple languages, large print and an instructor version is available for those interested in becoming a ServSafe instructor for their own establishment. The instructor exam is only available in English. A passing score is 75% regardless of the exam type.

Successful attendees will receive their ServSafe Manager certificates three to four weeks after the date of the class. Attendees who do not pass the exam can retake the course and exam up to three times in a 12 month period (additional fees for retakes will apply).

Accommodations are able to be made for those who need translators or have a disability

Attendees must register before the deadline. Walk-ins are not accepted and will be turned away.

Member: $150 Non-member: $220

Our ServSafe Manager classes are offered in a one-day review format. Upon registration, attendees will be mailed a ServSafe Manager book to study prior to attending the class. The WHAEF closes registration for classes two weeks in advance of the class date to ensure each attendee has ample time to study.

The day of the class the attendee will receive approximately four hours of review of the ServSafe Manager materials. This information is presented through videos, PowerPoint presentations, time for Q&A and led by certified, industry experienced instructors.

The review is followed by the ServSafe Manager exam, proctored by the class instructor. The exam is multiple choice and available in multiple languages, large print and an instructor version are available for those interested in becoming a ServSafe instructor for their own establishment. The instructor exam is only available in English. A passing score is 75% regardless of the exam type.

Successful attendees will receive their ServSafe Manager certificates three to four weeks after the date of the class. Attendees who do not pass the exam can retake the course and exam up to three times in a 12 month period (additional fees for retakes will apply).

Accommodations are able to be made for those who need translators or have a disability

Attendees must register before the deadline. Walk-ins are not accepted and will be turned away.

Member: $150Non-member: $220

Our ServSafe Manager classes are offered in a one-day review format. Upon registration, attendees will be mailed a ServSafe Manager book to study prior to attending the class. The WHAEF closes registration for classes two weeks in advance of the class date to ensure each attendee has ample time to study.

The day of the class the attendee will receive approximately four hours of review of the ServSafe Manager materials. This information is presented through videos, PowerPoint presentations, time for Q&A and led by certified, industry experienced instructors.

The review is followed by the ServSafe Manager exam, proctored by the class instructor. The exam is multiple choice and available in multiple languages, large print and an instructor version are available for those interested in becoming a ServSafe instructor for their own establishment. The instructor exam is only available in English. A passing score is 75% regardless of the exam type.

Successful attendees will receive their ServSafe Manager certificates three to four weeks after the date of the class. Attendees who do not pass the exam can retake the course and exam up to three times in a 12 month period (additional fees for retakes will apply).

Accommodations are able to be made for those who need translators or have a disability

Attendees must register before the deadline. Walk-ins are not accepted and will be turned away.

Member: $150Non-member: $220

Our ServSafe Manager classes are offered in a one-day review format. Upon registration, attendees will be mailed a ServSafe Manager book to study prior to attending the class. The WHAEF closes registration for classes two weeks in advance of the class date to ensure each attendee has ample time to study.

The day of the class the attendee will receive approximately four hours of review of the ServSafe Manager materials. This information is presented through videos, PowerPoint presentations, time for Q&A and led by certified, industry experienced instructors.

The review is followed by the ServSafe Manager exam, proctored by the class instructor. The exam is multiple choice and available in multiple languages, large print and an instructor version are available for those interested in becoming a ServSafe instructor for their own establishment. The instructor exam is only available in English. A passing score is 75% regardless of the exam type.

Successful attendees will receive their ServSafe Manager certificates three to four weeks after the date of the class. Attendees who do not pass the exam can retake the course and exam up to three times in a 12 month period (additional fees for retakes will apply).

Accommodations are able to be made for those who need translators or have a disability

Attendees must register before the deadline. Walk-ins are not accepted and will be turned away.

Member: $150Non-member: $220

Our ServSafe Manager classes are offered in a one-day review format. Upon registration, attendees will be mailed a ServSafe Manager book to study prior to attending the class. The WHAEF closes registration for classes two weeks in advance of the class date to ensure each attendee has ample time to study.

The day of the class the attendee will receive approximately four hours of review of the ServSafe Manager materials. This information is presented through videos, PowerPoint presentations, time for Q&A and led by certified, industry experienced instructors.

The review is followed by the ServSafe Manager exam, proctored by the class instructor. The exam is multiple choice and available in multiple languages, large print and an instructor version are available for those interested in becoming a ServSafe instructor for their own establishment. The instructor exam is only available in English. A passing score is 75% regardless of the exam type.

Successful attendees will receive their ServSafe Manager certificates three to four weeks after the date of the class. Attendees who do not pass the exam can retake the course and exam up to three times in a 12 month period (additional fees for retakes will apply).

Accommodations are able to be made for those who need translators or have a disability